It’s time for another developer’s interview! Today, we delve into the multifaceted role of Rex, our assistant producer and the true "Jack of All Trades" of the team. From helping everyone to be on track with the project timeline to fostering a harmonious atmosphere of creative collaboration among our talented teams, let’s find out more about his day-to-day responsibilities and the production team’s strategies on keeping the project plans on track.
Can you walk us through a typical day as an assistant producer, and why you are called the jack of all trades of the team?
My day always starts with a cup of freshly brewed coffee and breakfast to get the day started before I help the production team brainstorm and tackle the lengthy checklist of our team's to-do list. As the Assistant Producer, I assist our lead producer, Joseph, in carrying out the plans he has laid out for the team and ensuring that all departments are well informed and supported.
The ‘jack of all trades’ moniker is… let’s just say, I can be delegated to other departments if they need additional hands on their tasks when things get complex. I am well-versed in game development and thanks to my diverse set of skills and extensive knowledge of Goblin Stone, which I gained through my experience working closely with the QA team, I am capable of assisting others and working on any ad hoc tasks anytime as needed.
Could you tell us more about your contributions and how you are able to support every department of the game development team?
I help identify which aspect of the game require extra work or improvements, and I share my detailed list with the design team. I make it a point to provide game feedback based on my own gameplay experience, and let the design team know about the comments that we receive from our players so they are able to take their suggestions into account for features that need a little razzle-dazzle, whether it's a minor detail in a game, animation work, or even sound effect implementations.
On occasion, I also help in gathering resources that the team needs for content publishing in order to keep the community informed of our game development progress.
How do you contribute in fostering a collaborative and productive work environment among different teams?
It’s usually maintaining a friendly and fun environment for everyone when I work or assist different teams with their tasks. Being involved in everyone's progress is essential for me to know what needs to be done, and what the others need to continue working on without compromising their plans and workload.
What does the production team typically do to carry out production plans efficiently?
Our Creative Director Vince, Lead Producer Joseph, and I work together on planning, risk management and implementing the plans for game’s development.
We always make time to meet with each department and have a collaborative discussion about our weekly goals and tasks. This allows us to identify our priorities, risks or any concerns that may arise that needs to be addressed and looked into. We also assist each department in breaking down larger jobs into smaller portions to help them be more efficient with their work, ensuring that we meet our deadlines. Keeping a timeline and an updated checklist of everyone's progress also gives us a better picture of where we are in the development and allows us to make necessary adjustments and changes to our plans.
Collaborative work with our community manager, Bryan
Rex ensures that all departments are adequately supported in their work.
How does the production team handle scope changes and manage expectations while adhering to project timelines and resources for Goblin Stone?
Game Development is unpredictable and changes are unavoidable. We make necessary adjustments without compromising schedules and quality of work allotted to what needs to be implemented in the project. Of course, we also need to consult affected team members if we can agree on changes or adjust to give them ample time required to accomplish their goals.
Are there any fun experiences you can share that have been particularly memorable or impactful for you as an assistant producer at Orc Chop Games?
From testing the game as part of the QA team to being able to be more active in assisting and maintaining Goblin Stone's library, ranging from managing sounds, VFX, and balancing with the Design Team, these are just a few of the things I continue to enjoy working on. Did you know I also directed an early version of the Chinese Trailer of Goblin Stone? 🙈
Video and audio editing clippings from Goblin Stone are just some of the few things that Rex enjoy doing on the side.
What advice would you give to aspiring assistant producers who want to pursue a career in game development?
My advice for those who aspire to be on the path of a Game Producer: “Don’t underestimate Game Development”. One must work themselves to gain a comprehensive understanding of the Game development process. Start small and work your way to bigger projects. Have a clear vision on what needs to be done and be up to date about what’s going on in this industry. It is a long and fulfilling journey towards making enjoyable experiences along the way up to completion. By gaining a holistic perspective on game production, I also recommend that you develop your organizational and communication skills, because those are essential steps to a successful game producer.
Thank you for graciously sharing your thoughts and experiences working as a Game Producer, Rex! We have the pleasure of seeing your contributions to Goblin Stone as well as a different viewpoint on the day-to-day life of a Game Producer.
Before we end this developer interview, we encourage you to check out our previous blogs for more engaging interviews, behind-the-scenes stories, and inspiring narratives that shed light on the world of game development. Thank you for taking the time to read this devblog, and please stay tuned for more captivating content that celebrates the passion and dedication of game professionals like Rex.
